If your plan is to tank, wouldn't it make more sense to hang onto the negative value players, like Hoffman, Armia, Byron, etc?

Retool aaand Tank. Thanks.

I just don't see MTL moving Guhle and/or Farrell right as they start a rebuild

Possible. But IMO there is a package the Habs can offer for 2nd overall. Unlike what most would like to claim.

Can you give one legit argument on why the Devils would even think to do any of this?

Likely not seeing a legit 1st until 2025? Having to house the husk that is Drouin? C'mon man...this is bad

They shouldn't give their best prospect over a gamble !! Trade Norlinder or Tuch okay but never ever think about trading our next mountain man Ghule or a new Suzuki in Farell !

There's definitely a way for MTL to get #2.
It's just that none of the pieces you suggested will be part of such a package.

This trade is pretty good ... Farrell and Ghule are the best prospect you could dream of and they are still in the shadows ... but they will 100% make NHL players .... where on the other hand just having a better ceilling with one choice is not always an option

Thanks for your opinion.

Agreed, valuations on this site are wildly off from reality and I think many are going to be surprised when moves are actually made. There is a package for 2OA, but I doubt the prospect pool gets hemorrhaged for it.

Has to include one of-
- Suzuki
- Caufield
- Unprotected 2023 1st

Petry to Dallas makes sense, especially if they lose Klingberg.
Taking on Khudobin's contract back would help the trade do through.
Not sure they'd give Dellandrea though as they'll need cheap prospect ready to come in soon. Most likely trading for Petry vs picks.

Washington just traded Vrana and a 1st for Mantha, not sure they'd let him go for Hoffman and a couple of picks since.
Also, he hasn't pan out in Detroit or Washington. I'm not sure I'd want to take on his contract considering Mtl already have overpaid and under producing guys on the lineup.
Both Hoffman and Mantha have 2 years left. At this point, I'd prefer to save the 1.2mil per year with Hoffman instead of retaining half and having to end up paying 3.5mil extra to get Mantha.

Devil's save cap on a similar Tatar player. You gain a legit top pairing dmen D+2 and a legit top LW that will be NHL ready after his last year NCAA. And 3 very good picks.

Perhaps you should watch more hockey. Less EA.

Silly. When has this EVER happened? Wake up.

The assets you'd have to give up to move some of these contracts isn't worth it, if the plan is to tank anyway. NSH isn't going to take Armia off your hands, just to be nice.

Guile is a good prospect, but the Devils already have a bunch of LHD. Farrell is your 8th best prospect and isn't built for NHL size at 5'9. He put up good stats on a very deep Harvard team (I watch the ECAC) but isn't any much of a sure thing.

The Devils have far more of a deeper core now and need quality not quantity.

You aren't filling the needs the Devild gave, you are just focusing on the needs for MTL.

Thanks for your opinion.

Seriously?

The 2nd overall pick has never been traded for players at the draft in cap era. Whoever is asking for that pick is breaking historical norms.

Until they make the NHL and produce, Guhle and Farrell are also gambles.
What if Guhle tops as a 5th dman and Farrell never makes the team?
Not saying this is what is going to happen but you never know with prospects.
You have the opportunity to get the 2nd overall pick for a mid/late 1st round prospect + a 4th round prospect, you think about it.

Remember when Reway was producing in the Q and when he dominated the U20 in Mtl at an 18yo?
Some people were calling him a sure thing and a steal as a 4th round pick.

Remember when some called Rivet, Souray and I can't even remember who was the other one the next "big 3", comparing them to Savard, Robinson and Lapointe?

Guhle and Farrell sure look good now but, until they do it in the NHL, they are still gambles.

Farrell has torn up every league and every age group. Furthermore, is doing really well at WC.

Cmon after Hughes there is nobody challenging Guhle more foward at LD for the Devils.

I appreciate you opinion though. Thanks.

Yes and expecting legit establish top line players is rational for a maybe prospect, no matter the selection????

Exactly. All trades are essentially gambles. And, Slafkovsky could bust. Who knows.

Thanks for the great post.

I agree that Guhle would be the second best LHD, but that's just getting more in an area that isn't a weakness. If he was RHD, I could see a package with one of those, but the CGY pick being so late in not a great draft, and then pushing off the other 1st for likely three years just doesn't seen reasonable, especially for a GM on a short leash now.

While this is better than almost all the other offers, I still doubt the devils do it. It definitely made me consider though, as opposed to laugh.

Thank you for the rational response lol